Israeli Foreign Ministry: “Turkish condemnation is unfounded” [as well as "Mind your own business"]

Israeli Foreign Ministry: “Turkish condemnation is unfounded”

The Israeli Foreign Ministry published a firm response to the Turkish condemnation of yesterday’s IDF attack in Gaza: “Turkey should think twice before it criticizes the military operations of other countries.”

Aug 22, 2016, 6:00PM Tom Dolev

Netanyahu and Erdoğan. Archives Photo Credit: Reuters / Channel 2 News

Turkey was quick to condemn the IDF’s attack in Gaza in response to the rocket fired yesterday (Sunday) at Sderot, claiming that the reconciliation agreement between the two countries would not prevent Turkey from criticizing Israel. This evening, the Israeli Foreign Ministry published a firm response to the Turkish condemnation, stating that “the normalization of relations with Turkey does not mean that we will remain silent in the face of unfounded condemnation directed at us.”

“We will continue to protect innocent Israeli citizens from the firing of rockets into our territory according to international law and in accordance with our responsibility and conscience,” the Israeli Foreign Ministry’s response read. “Turkey should think twice before it criticizes the military operations of other countries.”

Attack in Gaza. Archives Photo Credit: Reuters / Channel 2 News

The Turkish Foreign Ministry announced today that it reserves the right to protest against Israel’s conduct in Gaza regardless of the reconciliation agreement signed with Israel, which was approved only two days ago by the Turkish Parliament. “The normalization of relations with Israel doesn’t mean that we will be silent about the attacks against the Palestinian people,” Turkey stressed.
“We will continue to be advocates for the Palestinian issue,” they added. “We will continue to defend the Palestinians against Israel’s actions, which are contrary to international law and the human conscious.” Meanwhile, Israel clarified that it is not interested in an escalation.